Week of January 14, 2005
It's never too late for victory: Christine Gregoire is sworn in as Governor in Washington State
Victory was a long time coming for EMILY's List-supported candidate Christine Gregoire – but come it did. After two arduous ballot recounts in the state's closest gubernatorial race in history, Gregoire was inaugurated Wednesday, January 12, becoming the state's second woman governor.
Gregoire was recently certified as governor-elect by GOP Secretary of State Sam Reed despite contentious resistance by Republican opponent Dino Rossi and his band of wily GOP sidekicks. Even after the confirmation, Rossi and his cronies continued to try to delay Gregoire's inauguration, calling the election "invalid." But Democrats fought back with vigor. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) told Republicans to "accept the outcome of the November election and get on with the business of the state." (Seattle Times, 1/11/05)
Gregoire's gubernatorial victory makes Washington the only state in the U.S. to have women in both U.S. Senate seats and as governor. Washington also has the highest percentage of women in the state legislature! Gregoire joins EMILY's List-supported candidates Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray in these highly influential positions, as they work to improve the lives of residents across the state.
"Never say never": Gwen Moore interviews with NPR
In an interview featured on NPR's Sunday All Things Considered, newly elected Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) talked about what inspired her to run for office, her passion for issues of personal freedom, and her goals for the 109th Congress. Moore, who was inaugurated into the U.S. Congress on January 4, is the first African-American elected to Congress from Wisconsin.
NPR's interview with Moore highlights her strong dedication to protecting reproductive rights and her admiration for the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm, who died on New Year's Day. Many remember Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress, as a strong voice for minorities and women. Her attitude led to her campaign slogan "Unbought and Unbossed." Many believe that Gwen Moore, a woman who defines herself as "for real," is a good candidate to take over where Chisholm left off.
EMILY's List POP candidate Joan Fitz-Gerald to head DLCC
This year, for the first time in 42 years, Democrats in Colorado control both houses of the legislature. Following these great victories, state Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald (D-Golden) has been selected chair of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), making her the first woman chair in the history of the DLCC. As chair, Fitz-Gerald will lead the organization that provides strategic services and financial assistance to state Democratic legislative leaders and candidates. Fitz-Gerald, who was supported by EMILY's List's Political Opportunity Program in her bid for a third Senate term, is the first woman president of the Colorado state Senate.